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Seventh Grade
(Prepared by Paulette Cefalu-Walkwitz)

Reading and Responding

Standard 1

1.        Develop vocabulary using a variety of strategies, including:

·      use of connotative and denotative meanings

·      use of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon base words, roots, affixes, and word parts (ELA-1-M1)

2.        Explain story elements, including:

·      the revelation of character motivation through thoughts, words, and actions

·      plot sequence (e.g., exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)

·      conflicts (e.g., man vs. man, nature, society, self) and their effect on plot

·      effects of first- and third-person points of view

·      theme development (ELA-1-M2)

3.        Interpret literary devices, including:

·      symbolism

·      puns

·      analogies (ELA-1-M2)

4.        Draw conclusions and make inferences in oral and written responses about ideas and information in grade-appropriate texts, including:

·      instructional materials

·      essays

·      dramas (ELA-1-M3)

5.        Interpret ideas and information in a variety of texts, including periodical articles, editorials, and lyrics, and make connections to real-life situations and other texts (ELA-1-M4)

Standard 6

6.        Identify universal themes (e.g., search for identity, love, friendship, family, courage, adversity) and cultural viewpoints found in national, world, and multicultural literature in oral and written responses (ELA-6-M1)

7.        Compare and contrast elements (e.g., plot, setting, character, theme) in multiple genres in oral and written responses (ELA-6-M2)

8.        Use knowledge of the distinctive characteristics to classify and interpret elements of various genres, including:

·      fiction (e.g., science fiction/fantasy)

·      nonfiction (e.g., essays, letters)

·      poetry (e.g., lyric, narrative)

·      drama (e.g., short plays) (ELA-6-M3)

Standard 7

9.        Demonstrate understanding of information in grade-appropriate texts using a variety of strategies, including:

·      sequencing events and steps in a process

·      summarizing and paraphrasing information

·      identifying stated or implied main ideas and explaining how details support ideas

·      comparing and contrasting literary elements and ideas

·      making inferences and drawing conclusions

·      predicting the outcome of a story or situation

·      identifying literary devices (ELA-7-M1)

10.    Explain the relationship between life experiences and texts to generate solutions to problems (ELA-7-M2)

11.    Use technical information and other available resources (e.g., Web sites, interviews) to solve problems (ELA-7-M2)

12.    Explain the effects of an author’s stated purpose for writing (ELA-7-M3)

13.    Identify an author’s bias (objectivity) for, against, or neutral toward an issue (ELA-7-M3)

14.    Analyze grade-appropriate print and nonprint texts using various reasoning skills, for example:

·      identifying cause-effect relationships

·      raising questions

·      reasoning inductively and deductively

·      generating a theory or hypothesis

·      skimming/scanning (ELA-7-M4)

Writing

Standard 2

15.    Write multiparagraph compositions on student- or teacher-selected topics organized with the following:

·      established central idea

·      organizational patterns (e.g., comparison/contrast, order of importance, chronological order) appropriate to the topic

·      elaboration (e.g., fact, examples, and/or specific details)

·      transitional words and phrases that unify ideas and points

·      overall structure including an introduction, a body/middle, and a concluding paragraph that summarizes important ideas and details (ELA-2-M1)

16.    Organize individual paragraphs with topic sentences, relevant elaboration, and concluding sentences (ELA-2-M1)

17.    Develop grade-appropriate compositions on student- or teacher-selected topics that include the following:

·      word choices (diction) appropriate to the identified audience and/or purpose

·      vocabulary selected to clarify meaning, create images, and set a tone

·      information/ideas selected to engage the interest of the reader

·      clear voice (individual personality)

·      variety in sentence structure (ELA-2-M2)

18.    Develop grade-appropriate compositions by identifying and applying writing processes, such as the following:

·      selecting topic and form

·      prewriting (e.g., brainstorming, researching, raising questions, generating graphic organizers)

·      drafting

·      conferencing (e.g., peer and teacher)

·      revising based on feedback and use of various tools (e.g., LEAP21 Writer’s Checklist, rubrics)

·      proofreading/editing

·      publishing using technology (ELA-2-M3)

19.    Develop grade-appropriate paragraphs and multiparagraph compositions using the various modes of writing (e.g., description, narration, exposition, persuasion), emphasizing narration and exposition (ELA-2-M4)

20.    Use the various modes to write compositions, including:

·      essays based on a stated opinion

·      fictional narratives (ELA-2-M4)

21.    Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including analogies, symbolism, and puns (ELA-2-M5)

22.    Write for various purposes, including:

·      letters of complaint supported with complete and accurate information and reasons

·      evaluations of media, such as television, radio, and the arts

·      text-supported interpretations of elements of grade-appropriate stories, poems, plays, and novels

·      applications, such as memberships and library cards (ELA-2-M6)

Writing/Proofreading

Standard 3

23.    Use standard English punctuation, including:

·      commas to set off direct quotations, nouns of direct address, and after introductory words or phrases

·      semicolons or colons to separate independent clauses (ELA-3-M2)

24.    Write paragraphs and compositions following standard English structure and usage, including:

·      varied sentence structures, including complex sentences

·      antecedents that agree with pronouns in number, person, and gender

·      sentences without double negatives (ELA-3-M3)

25.    Apply knowledge of parts of speech in writing, including:

·      infinitives and participles

·      superlative and comparative degrees of adjectives

·      adverbs (ELA-3-M4)

26.    Spell high-frequency, commonly confused, frequently misspelled words and derivatives (e.g., roots, affixes) correctly (ELA-3-M5)

27.    Use a variety of resources (e.g., glossaries, dictionaries, thesauruses, spell check) to find correct spellings (ELA-3-M5)

Speaking and Listening

Standard 4

28.    Adjust diction and enunciation to suit the purpose for speaking (ELA-4-M1)

29.    Use standard English grammar, diction, syntax, and pronunciation when speaking (ELA-4-M1)

30.    Follow procedures (e.g., read, question, write a response, form groups) from detailed oral instructions (ELA-4-M2)

31.    State oral directions/procedures for tasks (ELA-4-M2)

32.    Adjust volume and inflection to suit the audience and purpose of presentations (ELA-4-M3)

33.    Organize oral presentations with a thesis, an introduction, a body developed with relevant details, and a conclusion (ELA-4-M3)

34.    Evaluate and determine bias and credibility of various media presentations (e.g., TV and radio advertising) (ELA-4-M4)

35.    Deliver formal and informal persuasive presentations (ELA-4-M4)

36.    Deliver grade-appropriate research-based presentations (ELA-4-M4)    

37.    Evaluate a variety of media for impressions/effect on listeners, faulty reasoning, propaganda techniques, and delivery (ELA-4-M5)

38.    Participate in group and panel discussions, including:

·      explaining the effectiveness and dynamics of group process

·      applying agreed-upon rules for formal and informal discussions

·      assuming a variety of roles (e.g., facilitator, recorder, leader, listener) (ELA-4-M6)

Information Resources

Standard 5

39.    Locate and select information using organizational features of grade-appropriate resources, including:

·      complex reference sources (e.g., almanacs, atlases, newspapers, magazines, brochures, map legends, prefaces, appendices)

·      electronic storage devices (e.g., CD-ROMs, diskettes, software, drives)

·      frequently accessed and bookmarked Web addresses

·      features of electronic texts (e.g., hyperlinks, cross-referencing, Web resources, including online sources and remote sites) (ELA-5-M1)

40.    Locate and integrate information from a variety of grade-appropriate resources, including:

·      multiple printed texts (e.g., encyclopedias, atlases, library catalogs, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, technical encyclopedias)

·      electronic sources (e.g., Web sites, databases)

·      other media sources (e.g., audio and video tapes, films, documentaries, television, radio) (ELA-5-M2)

41.    Explain the usefulness and accuracy of sources by determining their validity (e.g., authority, accuracy, objectivity, publication date, coverage) (ELA-5-M2)

42.    Gather and select information using data-gathering strategies/tools, including:

·      surveying

·      interviewing

·      paraphrasing (ELA-5-M3)

43.    Generate grade-appropriate research reports that include information presented in a variety of forms, including:

·      visual representations of data/information

·      graphic organizers (e.g., outlines, timelines, charts, webs)

·      works cited lists and/or bibliographies (ELA-5-M3)

44.    Use word processing and/or other technology to draft, revise, and publish a variety of works, including reports and research documents (ELA-5-M4)

45.    Give credit for borrowed information following acceptable use policy, including:

·      integrating quotations and citations

·      using end notes

·      creating bibliographies and/or works cited lists (ELA-5-M5)

46.    Interpret information from a variety of graphic organizers including timelines, charts, schedules, tables, diagrams, and maps in grade-appropriate sources (ELA-5-M6)